Boat having laterally adjustable deck

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a boat, especially to a pontoon-type boat, and is particularly characterized in that the deck of the boat is adjustable in the lateral direction between narrow and wide widths. The adjustment is accomplished by providing the deck with side sections, each of which can be moved from an inner position to an outer position and by providing leaf members to fill the gaps in the deck when the side sections are adjusted outwardly.

United States Patent [72] inventor Edward J. Williams 236 Oak KnollS.E., Warren, Ohio 44483 [21] Appl. No. 847,214 [22] Filed Aug. 4, 1969[45] Patented Dec. 28, 1971 [54] BOAT HAVING LATERALLY ADJUSTABLE DECK 4Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

52 115.111 114/61, 1 15/1 [51] 1nt.Cl B6311 H10 [50] Field oiSearch114/85,61; 115/1;9/1 TR; 296/26, 23.3

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,233,240 2/1941 Boldisetal.

2,965,412 12/1960 Henderson et a1 296/23 2,992,444 7/1961 Schuler 114/61X 3,114,157 12/1963 Stockmann... 114/61 X 3,269,349 8/1966 Gehlen 115/1Primary ExaminerAndrew H. Farrell Attorney-Jeffers & Young ABSTRACT: Theinvention relates to a boat, especially to a pontoon-type boat, and isparticularly characterized in that the deck of the boat is adjustableinthe lateral direction between narrow and wide widths. The adjustment isaccomplished by providing the deck with side sections. each of which canbe moved from an inner position to an outer position and by providingleaf members to fill the gaps in the deck when the side sections areadjusted outwardly.

PATENTEU M628 I871 SHEET 3 OF 3 INVENTOR EDWAQD J. WkLLkAMS m J EFFERBQouwe A'Hor- BOAT HAVING LATERALLY ADJUSTABLE DECK This inventionrelates to boats, especially to pontoon-type boats and is concerned, inparticular, with a boat having a deck which is adjustable in width.

The usual-type boat is substantially completely fixed as to dimensionsand, thus, has certain limitations embodied directly therein. For boatswhich remain in the same environment at all times, the fixed nature ofthe boat is of no particular disadvantage. In other cases, however, itmay be desired to use a boat in different regions wherein differentconditions exist, or to move the boat from a larger body of waterthrough a narrower channel to another body of water. Still further, inthe clocking of a boat, a narrower boat presents more simple problemsthan a wider boat.

Also, on occasion, a boat having a deck area that is adequate for mostpurposes might be found to be too small for other purposes.

With the foregoing in mind, it is a primary objective of the presentinvention, to provide a boat having a deck structure so constructed andarranged that the deck structure can be adjusted as to the usable widththereof.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a boathaving a deck structure which can be extended a predetermined amount oneither or both sides thereof.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of adeck structure for boats in which a deck structure can be adjustedbetween narrow and wide conditions while filler members are provided forfilling the gaps formed in the deck structure when it is adjusted to itswide condition.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a boatconstruction having a laterally adjustable deck structure in which thestrength and utility of the boat is not in any way impaired by theadjustability of the deck.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a boatstructure having an adjustable deck which is relatively inexpensive andin which the deck can be adjusted quickly and conveniently.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the practice of the present invention,a boat arrangement is provided which includes spaced pontoons fixedtogether by structural members extending transversely between thepontoons and fixed thereto. The aforementioned structural members form aframework 'on which the deck of the boat is supported.

The aforementioned deck, according to the present invention, includes acentral section fixed to the supporting structural members, orframework, and side sections at each side of the central section whichare laterally moveable on the said framework.

The laterally moveable sections have laterally inwardly adjustedpositions wherein they form extrusions of the aforementioned centralsection, and laterally outwardly adjusted positions wherein thelaterally inwardly disposed edges of the deck side sections are inspaced parallel relation to the laterally outwardly disposed edges ofthe deck central section. Flat leaf members, in the form of planks orthe like, are provided for filling the gaps between the deck centralsection and the outwardly adjusted deck side sections to form anuninterrupted deck surface when the deck side sections are adjusted tothe outer position thereof.

Suitable securing means may be provided to lock the deck side sectionsin their two adjusted positions and, furthermore, stop means is providedto prevent the deck side sections from being adjusted outwardly beyond apredetermined limit.

Foregoing objects of the present invention, as well as still otherobjects and advantages thereof, will become more apparent upon referenceto the following detailed description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 2 is a plan view like FIG. I, but partly broken away and showingthe boat with the deck in widened condition;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the boat;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view drawn at somewhat enlarged scale andindicated by line IV-IV on FIG. 2;

FIG. Sis an end view of the boat; and FIG. 6 is a fragmentaryperspective view showing the supporting structure for the adjustableside sections of the deck.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION hollow tubular members, preferably of metal, andhaving.-

tapered leading ends at 14 at the front or bow end of the boat.

As will best be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, the pontoons may have securedthereto inverted U-shaped metal brackets I6, the ends of the legs ofwhich may be welded to the pontoons so that the upper closed ends of thebrackets present a supporting surface for receiving the deck-supportingframework of the boat. Preferably, the members 16 are employed forsupportingly receiving structural members, such as channels 18, whichextend transversely of the boat across the tops of members l6 and arepreferably fixed thereto as by welding indicated at 20.

In the particular boat illustrated, as will be seen in FIG. 3, four ofthe bracket members 16 are attached to each pontoon in longitudinallyspaced relation therealong so that with two channels 18 connected to thetop surface of each bracket. member 16, there are eight of thetransversely extending channels 18 to form the supporting framework forthe deck structure of the boat.

The deck structure of the boat, according to the present invention,comprises a central section 22 symmetrically located with respect topontoons l0 and having parallel longitudinally extending side edges 24and 26 which, as will be seen in FIG. I, are located in a region abovethe pontoons. The central section 22 of the deck structure if fixedlyconnected to the transversely extending channels 18. If the deckstructure is of metal, it can be welded to the support panels I8, or ifit is made of wood, it can be bolted thereto. Such a bolt is indicatedby reference numeral 28 in FIG. 6.

Referring again to FIG. 1, extending longitudinally along each lateralor side edge of deck central section 22 are the side deck sections 30and 32. These deck side sections are laterally adjustable relative todeck central section 22 and are shown in FIG. I in their inwardlyadjusted position, and in FIG. 2 in their outwardly adjusted positions.FIG. 2 will alsoshow that disposed between the laterally inwardly edge34 of deck side section 30 and the opposed lateral edge 24 of deckcentral section 22 is a filler member 36, a plank or the like, whichprovides for continuity of the deck surface from central section 22 toadjustable section 30.

On the opposite side of the deck, a similar filler member 38 is disposedbetween the inner lateral edge 40 of side section 32 and the opposedlateral edge 26 of central section 22.

The manner in which the side sections of the deck structure areincorporated in the boat will be seen upon reference to FIGS. 2, 4, 5and 6. In these views it will be seen that the pairs of channel members18, pertaining to the respective brackets 16, define spaces therebetweenadapted for slidingly receiving supports for the side sections of thedeck. FIGS. 4 and 6 will show that the supports for the side sections ofthe deck may take the form of longitudinally spaced laterally extendingchannels 42 which slidably engage between a respective pair of thechannels I8. At their laterally outward ends, channels 42 areadvantageously interconnected by a longitudinally extending structuralmember 44, which may be common to the several pairs of channels 42distributed along the length of the respective deck side sections.Structural member 44 may consist of wood or metal, and in either case isfixedly connected to the several pairs of channels 42 along the sameside of the boat. Advantageously, member 44 is in the form of an anglewith one leg depending vertically at the ends of channels 42 and theother leg engaged over the op of the respective deck side section alongthe outer edge thereof.

Structural member 44 is arranged to abut or be close to the adjacentends of channels 18 when the respective deck side section is in its FIG.1 position. At their laterally inner ends, each pair of channels 42 areinterconnected by a plate 46 welded to the channels 42 and adapted forabutting the pertaining bracket member 16 when the pertaining deck sidesection is adjusted to its laterally outward position.

FIG. 6, which best illustrates the described construction, shows deckside section 30 and also illustrates the gap between edge 34 of sidesection 30 and edge 24 of central section 22 which is adapted for beingfilled with the filler member 36, illustrated in HQ. 6 directly abovethe said gap.

In the inwardly adjusted position of each deck side section, suitablesecuring means can be provided for fixing the deck side sections inplace. Various manners of accomplishing such a connection will suggestthemselves and, purely by way of example, FIG. 6 shows a threaded holeat 50 in a channel 18 adapted for receiving a bolt 52 which can beintroduced through a hole 54 in deck side section 30 when the sidesection is in its inwardly adjusted position, or through a hole 56 infiller member 36 when the side section is adjusted to its outer positionand the filler member 36 is put in place between the side section andthe central section of the deck. As mentioned, a great many differenttypes of securing devices can be employed for this purpose and theparticular one described is purely illustrative.

The deck is provided with the railing, generally indicated at 60, andthis railing is advantageously mounted on the deck side sections 30 and32 and includes end parts 62 extending toward each other at the ends ofthe boat. The railing on the deck side sections moves therewith as theend sections are adjusted inwardly and outwardly. The nonmoveablecentral section 22 may, or course, have railings mounted thereon, ifdesired.

At the forward end of the boat, the central section 22, or thesupporting structure therebeneath, pivotally supports a ramp member 64,which can be tilted downwardly, as shown at 64a in FIG. 3, to provide anaccess, or loading ramp for the deck. An additional structural member 65extending between the pontoons may be provided for additional decksupport and to support ramp 64. Ramp member 64 in width is such that italways overlaps railing sections 62 so that in both positions of thedeck side sections, the forward end of the boat is provided with anenclosure. The aft end of the boat may include the structure, indicatedat 66, for mounting a drive motor.

The illustrated boat has the pontoons fixedly connected to the centralsections of the deck and only the deck side sections are adjustable. itwill be apparent, however, that each side section could be attached to apontoon to move together therewith in the lateral direction, if sodesired. For the sake of economy and rigidity of structure, however, itis preferred that the pontoons and central section of the deck form asingle unitary structure, together with the transversesupporting'channels interposed therebetween.

The railing arrangement 60 advantageously includes one or more swingablegates 68, for convenience in gaining access to the deck from the side ofthe boat,

It will be apparent that modifications may be made within the purview ofthe appended claims.

1. In a boat, a deck comprising a central section and at least one sidesection coplanar with and arranged at one side of said central section,a framework beneath said central section in supporting relation thereto,support members for said side section fixed to the underneath sidethereof and extending therefrom in the lateral direction toward thecenter of the boat, and said framework supportingly engaging saidsupport members and permitting substantially coplanar adjustment thereofin the lateral direction of the boat for movement of said side sectionbetween a first lateral position adjacent said central section and asecond lateral position laterally spaced from said central section, aside section on each side of said central section, each said sidesection being adjustable between a first positionwherein it is adjacentsaid central section and a second positlon wherein it IS laterallyspaced from said central section, said supporting framework comprisestransversely extending structural elements arranged in parallellongitudinally spaced relation beneath said central section, bracketmembers secured to the underneath sides of said structural elements nearthe ends thereof, pontoons secured to said bracket members and extendinglongitudinally of said boat, said structural elements being arranged inspaced pairs and each said pair has a respective bracket member securedthereto near each end, said structural members being arranged in pairsand being slidably received in the spaces defined by the said pairs ofstructural elements, each pair of structural members being confined fromabove by said deck central section and from the bottom by a respectivesaid bracket member and from the sides by a respective pair ofstructural elements, and a plate extending between and fixed to theinner ends of each said pair of structural members and being adapted forengaging the adjacent said bracket member when the respective deck sidesection is adjusted to its second position.v

2. A boat according to claim 1, in which there is a plurality of saidpairs of structural elements distributed longitudinally of the boat,each deck side section having a plurality of pairs of said supportmembers fixed thereto and received between a respective pair ofstructural elements, each side deck section having deck means extendingover said support members at the outer ends thereof and connectedthereto and also having a vertical member extending longitudinally ofthe respective side deck section at the outer ends of said supportmembers and connected thereto.

3. A boat according to claim 2, which includes rail mans secured to saiddeck side sections near the outer edges thereof and including endportions extending transversely of the boat near the ends of said decksections.

4. A boat according to claim 3, in which said boat includes loading rampmeans pivoted thereto on a horizontal axis at the front end of the boatand having an upwardly pivoted position wherein it overlaps the adjacentend portions of said rail means.

1. In a boat, a deck comprising a central section and at least one sidesection coplanar with and arranged at one side of said central section,a framework beneath said central section in supporting relation thereto,support members for said side section fixed to the underneath sidethereof and extending therefrom in the lateral direction toward thecenter of the boat, and said framework supportingly engaging saidsupport members and permitting substantially coplanar adjustment thereofin the lateral direction of the boat for movement of said side sectionbetween a first lateral position adjacent said central section and asecond lateral position laterally spaced from said central section, aside section on each side of said central section, each said sidesection being adjustable between a first position wherein it is adjacentsaid central section and a second position wherein it is laterallyspaced from said central section, said supporting framework comprisestransversely extending structural elements arranged in parallellongitudinally spaced relation beneath said central section, bracketmembers secured to the underneath sides of said structural elements nearthe ends thereof, pontoons secured to said bracket members and extendinglongitudinally of said boat, said structural elements being arranged inspaced pairs and each said pair has a respective bracket member securedthereto near each end, said structural members being arranged in pairsand being slidably received in the spaces defined by the said pairs ofstructural elements, each pair of structural members being confined fromabove by said deck central section and from the bottom by a respectivesaid bracket member and from the sides by a respective pair ofstructural elements, and a plate extending between and fixed to theinner ends of each said pair of structural members and being adapted forengaging the adjacent said bracket member when the respective deck sidesection is adjusted to its second position.
 2. A boat according to claim1, in which there is a plurality of said pairs of structural elementsdistributed longitudinally of the boat, each deck side section having aplurality of pairs of said support members fixed thereto and receivedbetween a respective pair of structural elements, each side deck sectionhaving deck means extending over said support members at the outer endsthereof and connected thereto and also having a vertical memberextending longitudinally of the respective side deck section at theouter ends of said support members and connected thereto.
 3. A boataccording to claim 2, which includes rail mans secured to said deck sidesections near the outer edges thereof and including end portionsextending transversely of the boat near the ends of said deck sections.4. A boat according to claim 3, in which said boat includes loading rampmeans pivoted thereto on a horizontal axis at the front end of the boatand having an upwardly pivoted position wherein it overlaps the adjacentend portions of said rail means.